With the roof slates done, the first item on the list of things to be finished before the roof is complete is the installation of the ridge tiles. These are triangular shaped tiles that cap the intersection between each side of the roof, known as a ridge. With the slates completed, it's the only area still vulnerable to water penetration - so it should be tackled first. It's also probably the last "large" job - all the other items on the list are smaller, less strenuous tasks. That being said, I had no idea how "large" and "strenuous" installing these ridge tiles would be...
Back in March, when I decided to complete the roof myself , it was primarily because it appeared that most of the work ahead involved small, precise tasks - perfect for one person. Over these last few months, that has remained true - until these last three days.
Installing these ridge tiles proved to be the most exhausting work I've encountered so far. It's not that the tiles are heavy, or difficult to lay - it's the combination of all the tasks required at the same time. The primary culprit was mixing the mortar, which in itself is not hard, but it involves carrying heavy bags of cement and sand, mixing pail after pail of the stuff with a shovel, and then finally carrying the heavy pail to where it's needed. Now with the mortar in hand (or more precisely "in trowel") it is placed onto the dampened slates. The ridge tile is then placed onto that heap of mortar - if you happen to be a professional then you're done, if not (like me), you end-up making a mess...the mortar goes everywhere, and you then have to clean it before it dries...
I now understand (the hard way!) how much skill and experience goes into laying bricks or tiles - and how easy the professionals make it look. I also have learned (the hard way!) why making the mortar is usually the job of the most junior tradesman, or day laborer - it's exhausting, unending and dirty work.
...I soon realized that every ridge tile took about a bucket of mortar - so laying even a single tile took a long time...
So, like many other moments of this project, it was time to buckle down and just do it...but if there's ever a next time...I'm definitely getting help - or better yet, a mason...
Back in March, when I decided to complete the roof myself , it was primarily because it appeared that most of the work ahead involved small, precise tasks - perfect for one person. Over these last few months, that has remained true - until these last three days.
Installing these ridge tiles proved to be the most exhausting work I've encountered so far. It's not that the tiles are heavy, or difficult to lay - it's the combination of all the tasks required at the same time. The primary culprit was mixing the mortar, which in itself is not hard, but it involves carrying heavy bags of cement and sand, mixing pail after pail of the stuff with a shovel, and then finally carrying the heavy pail to where it's needed. Now with the mortar in hand (or more precisely "in trowel") it is placed onto the dampened slates. The ridge tile is then placed onto that heap of mortar - if you happen to be a professional then you're done, if not (like me), you end-up making a mess...the mortar goes everywhere, and you then have to clean it before it dries...
I now understand (the hard way!) how much skill and experience goes into laying bricks or tiles - and how easy the professionals make it look. I also have learned (the hard way!) why making the mortar is usually the job of the most junior tradesman, or day laborer - it's exhausting, unending and dirty work.
...I soon realized that every ridge tile took about a bucket of mortar - so laying even a single tile took a long time...
So, like many other moments of this project, it was time to buckle down and just do it...but if there's ever a next time...I'm definitely getting help - or better yet, a mason...
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| Morning of June 20 - the "Hip Iron" will hold the tiles in place while they dry |
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| Laying the first bed of mortar. Dampening the slates provides better adhesion of the mortar - this also applies to the ridge slates which are soaked in water (bottom right corner) |
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| The first tile in place - so far so good... |
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| A few tiles into it, I'm getting tired, and it's getting messy. Another reminder of my limited skill with a trowel... |
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| Almost done... |
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| The first corner is completed! As it was early afternoon by this point (and raining) I took a break and moved on to some less taxing tasks for the rest of the day. |
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| The next morning - July 21nd - a long road ahead... |
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| The first two tiles in place |
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| Towards the end of the afternoon a little over halfway there |
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| Looking down - finally starting to feel like progress |
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| Making Mortar: Add sand and cement; mix together dry; add water; mix until a smooth, buttery texture. Repeat... |
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| Nearing the top - a bed of mortar |
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| It's 9pm - have been at this for 11 hours. Finally reached the top and turned the corner - time to call it a day |
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| Morning of June 22rd - laying the tiles along the roof's ridge |
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| The bed of mortar for the last tile - it's starting to rain, so it's good to be finishing |
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| Montage of the completed ridge tiles |
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| Montage of the completed ridge tiles |
